"He's a hero:" Mother of boy who died in 2015 car crash meets recipients of his donated organs



Da'Quan Nichols-Cox



MILWAUKEE - Two years ago, a Milwaukee mother lost her son in a car accident, but deciding to donate his organs saved four other lives. On Tuesday, November 21st, that mother got to meet her son's organ recipients.

"It's an incredibly life-saving event," said Dr. Tom Sato.

Dr. Sato said Tuesday's meeting was remarkably rare -- prompted by a family's selfless act.

"It was a little bit of unfortunate luck for the donor's family, to make a very critical decision at the time of heartbreak," said Dr. Sato.

Da'Quan Nichols-Cox



Two years ago to the day, 14-year-old Da'Quan Nichols-Cox was in a car accident and died at Children's Hospital of Wisconsin. His mother, Inica Nichols, chose to donate his organs.

Children's Hospital of Wisconsin



"I didn't think in a million years I would be in that situation," said Inica Nichols.

For the first time on Tuesday, Inica Nichols met with the families of the children who received her son's liver and kidneys.

"We just say thank you to him as often as we can," said mother to Sara Nylund, who received part of Da'Quan's liver.

Sara Nylund



"I feel fast and strong," said

Auden Evensen



of Lake Mills, who also received a partial liver from Da'Quan.

"My words will never show enough. From the moment he became Auden's hero, he's part of our family now," said Auden's mother Kerri.

Emmitt Retzlaff from Big Bend received a kidney -- as well as Sasha Price from Racine.

Emmitt Retzlaff



Sasha Price



"She made a decision that gave so many children life, including Emmitt. He was very sick for a really long time. It was very emotional. It was awesome meeting her," said Emmitt's mother, Aliscia Parr.

Inica Nichols



Inica Nichols said after two years, a weight has been lifted now that she's finally met with families who are living after her son's short life.

"He's a hero," Inica Nichols said. "He's a hero and he gave his gifts to save other heroes."

All of the transplants performed were done so within 24 hours of Da'Quan Nichols-Cox's death in 2015. Each family FOX6 News spoke with said they plan to keep in touch with Inica Nichols, and continue to teach their children about that family's gift of life.